PORT ANGELES — Perched high atop the roof of the historical church building that houses the Serenity House Thrift Store, roofers are in the process of preserving and protecting the 1889 structure — among the oldest and largest surviving wood structures in Port Angeles.
The 125-year-old building at the southeast corner of East First and Vine streets in Port Angeles, which began life as a church, is getting a new roof and a face-lift.
“The roof was not actually leaking but looked so scabrous it inspired a major, community-supported restoration project to preserve what is believed to be the last remaining nonresidential structure built by the Puget Sound Cooperative Colony,” said Kathy Wahto, executive director of Serenity House.
Charles Smith of Charles Smith Architects redesigned the entrance, and Serenity House has purchased antique doors, Wahto said.
The $55,000 project is expected to be complete before a Sept. 14 Heritage Days celebration at the site, which will be held in coordination with the Clallam County Historical Society.
“This is a modest but visible improvement to the church,” Wahto said, adding that she figures the Cooperative Colony built it for less than $700 in 1888.
Congregational church
The building opened in 1889 as a congregational church and changed its name to Independent Bible Church in 1937.
The original church building was sold in 1975 after the church outgrew the building and moved to the former Fraternal Order of the Eagles building at 112 N. Lincoln St., according to Clallam County historian Alice Alexander’s history of the building, published in January in Peninsula Profile.
In 1975, the building was occupied by Carroll Reality downstairs, and upstairs housed computer firm Harris, Hall & Associates.
Bonny’s Bakery opened in the building in 1994 and remained until 1999.
Serenity House Thrift Shop moved into the former church in 2002, and Serenity House purchased the property by 2004, with store profits going to help end homelessness in Clallam County, Wahto said.
Fundraising efforts
Pietra Riley, a frequent shopper and friend of the late Sally Garnero, store founder, approached Serenity House and her church, Lighthouse Christian Center, and proposed the improvements, setting fundraising in motion.
Jason Meyer, also a member of Lighthouse and owner of EarthTech Construction, made reroofing affordable with a very competitive bid, said Martha Ireland, executive coordinator of Serenity House.
“It’s so low, I think he’s very nearly doing it at his cost,” Ireland said.
Port Angeles’ faith community took an interest in restoring and preserving the city’s first church building, with major gifts coming from Lighthouse, First Presbyterian and Independent Bible Church, which began in the building, she said.
Project donors
Green Crow, a Port Angeles forest products company, was the largest donor, providing $15,000 to the combined project, Wahto said.
Other funding came from a city of Port Angeles facade grant and donations from Merrill & Ring, D.A. Davidson’s investment firm, Jim’s Pharmacy, Austin Properties, Port Angeles Real Estate, Swain’s General Store, Hartnagel Building Supply, First Federal and the Lower Elwha Klallam tribe.
Serenity House itself covered more than $7,000 in costs, paid for from the Sally Garnero Memorial Fund and other funds.
Those wishing to contribute or volunteer to help preserve the church building can phone Serenity House at 360-452-1439.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
